Does the circuit providing a light at the electrical panel have to be ONLY for that light?
I'm fairly sure there specifically has to be a light at the panel, as well as a circuit with an accessible outlet. My electrician at the panel install felt these needed to be separate, which I, with experience stumbling through the dark to a fusebox (20 years before that house got circuit breakers) certainly agree with. But… This means I'm spending an entire 15 amp breaker to run a 60W lightbulb (or its 8 W replacement.) Do I need to? Is that circuit required to be JUST for the panel area, or is that not actually the case? In particular, if I'm running other lighting loads off it, is it still acceptable so long as it does, indeed, light the panel area?
USA location, 2011 NEC is the code currently adopted.
Best Answer
The required lighting outlet for areas with equipment is definitely not required to be on a dedicated circuit. It can be on any general circuit.
Same goes for the receptacle. It is not required to be dedicated, but typically this is. This receptacle is required for unfinished basement areas. It's not required to be at the panel, but usually this is the easiest place to put it.